Our Office

Baker Family Eyecare was established in June 2006 by husband and wife partners, Dr. James N. Baker and Dr. Tania La Baker. The practice was purchased from Dr. Ralph Butts, who originally established his practice in this same location in the early part of 1972. Dr. Ralph Butts established a reputation of providing a high level of personalized service and possessing expertise knowledge in the optometric field. He had a sense of enthusiasm about his profession and a true dedication to his patients that we have vowed to continue to provide to his existing patients as well as our new patients. We hope you and your family will give us the opportunity to serve all of your eye care needs. We are certain you will not be disappointed.

James N. Baker, O.D.

Doctor James Baker has practiced in the in the DFW area since 2002. Dr. Baker obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas in 1994. Dr. Baker then served four years active duty in the United States Air Force achieving the rank of Captain. His Doctor of Optometry degree was completed in 2002 from University of Houston College of Optometry.

Dr. Baker’s work history began at the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Center for Adult Strabismus practice in Dallas where he practiced primarily with children working along side David Stager Sr., M.D. After one year he then joined Ford Eye Center working with Todd Ford M.D. for which he has now been associated with since 2004.

At Ford Eye Center Dr. Baker is responsible for pre and post-operative lasik and cataract surgery which also includes a great deal of counseling and educating patients on which cataract or refractive surgery might be their best option. He has a great deal of experience dealing with patients who have had and are considering the Restor lens by Alcon.

Professional interests include treating glaucoma, ocular inflammatory diseases, chronic dry eyes, foreign body removals, and ocular infections.
Dr. Baker has served as President and Vice President of the Tarrant County Optometric Association as well as an active member of the Texas Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association.

Dr. Baker and his wife Dr. Tania La opened Baker Family Eyecare in 2006 for which they have dedicated their practice to providing exceptional quality eye care and eyewear in a charming setting reminiscent of a traditional family doctors office for which every patient is treated as one of the family.

In his free time Dr. Baker enjoys playing golf, traveling, church activities, and most of all spending time with his wife and four children.

Tania La, O.D.

Dr. Tania La, O.D. was born in Vietnam and immigrated with her family to the United States at the age of two in search of freedom, better education, and new opportunities. With the goal to live the American dream, she graduated with honors when completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at the University of Texas in Austin. Dr. La continued her education and received a Doctorate’s Degree at the University of Houston Optometry School in 2002, where she also graduated top of her class and had the privilege to serve as the class representative. She had a wonderful opportunity to intern at the Lasik Institute of the Rockies in Denver, Colorado, where she had extensive training in Lasik management.

In 2006, Dr. La joined her husband, Dr. James Baker and launched Baker Family Eyecare in Hurst, Texas. Together they provide exceptional comprehensive eye care and vision examinations to patients of all ages and their families. She has a strong interest in ocular infections and injuries, co-managing Lasik and diabetic retinopathy, and complex contact lens fitting, such as keratoconus and corneal refractive therapy. Dr. La is committed to properly educating and treating each and every patient like family. Furthermore, she ensures that the patients leave the office with a true understanding of their eyes, eyewear, and health.

Dr. La is an active member of the Tarrant County Optometric Society, Texas Optometric Association and American Optometric Association. In addition, she participates in charitable programs such as InfantSEE and Sight for Students, providing vision and eye care for infants and students. She also had an amazing opportunity to travel to Honduras with the Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity to perform exams on the underprivileged citizens. While practicing her professional skills in Spanish, Dr. La learned the true meaning of giving the gift of sight.

Dr. La enjoys spending time with her husband and their four young children, who are the light of her life. She loves attending church, cooking, mountain climbing, snow skiing, and traveling. One day, she hopes to teach her children the honor and rewards in providing vision and eye care.

Stevie Tackett, Optician

Stevie Tackett is our optician, lab manager, and contact lens specialist at our Hurst location. She also works as one of our Optometric Assistants at the Fort Worth location. Stevie has been with us since June 2007. She was born and raised in Arlington and graduated from Arlington High School. She is in the process of getting her Bachelors Degree in Biology at UTA as well as a Bachelors Degree in Nursing. One day she would like to be a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at a local hospital.

Stevie spends her free time with her boyfriend, Matt, and her dogs, Harley and Davy. She is the oldest of 3 children, which has always required a lot of responsibilities. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, shopping, singing, dancing, and modeling. She also enjoys playing racquetball, motorcycling, and being outdoors.

If you have any questions about glasses or contacts lenses, feel free to call and ask for Stevie, she will be happy to help you.

Lisa Gambrell

Lisa Gambrell is our Billing/ Insurance Coordinator and technician. She has been with us since October 2009. She has been in the field of Ophthalmology/ Optometry for 19 years. She has been involved in all aspects of a medical office from administrative to practice management. Lisa was the Education Coordinator at UTSW for the Department of Ophthalmology for 5 years, where with the Program Director, she was responsible for the academic side of the ophthalmology resident training program. Through the years, Lisa's experience has been patient and staff education. Although her degree is in Crime and Justice Studies, the field of Ophthalmology/ Optometry has captured her heart. As you will hear her say often..."there is not another field where you can have immediate affect upon someone... a patient's vision".

Lisa is the oldest of 6 children and is known as the family clown. She enjoys being around family and friends, reading/ poetry, thrift stores, action movies, and watching crime shows on TV. She is the proud mother of a 19 year old son, Diamonte', that is her heart. Lisa also enjoys modeling, which she pursues in her free time.

If you have an insurance question or just an "eye" question in general, please feel free to ask for Lisa. She is always willing to assist her patients.

Kelley Wachendorf

Kelley is our Optometric Assistant at our Fort Worth location. She happily lives in Arlington with her family after relocating from Arizona in 2006.

Kelley was successful in obtaining her certification in Dental Assisting in 2007, but truely enjoys helping and meeting new people in any medical setting.

When Kelley is not busy with her two small children, she enjoys watching movies, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

Eva Martinez

Eva Martinez is one of our Optometric Assistants at our Fort Worth location.